Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Design for Climate-Adaptive Urbanism

Aalto University; Finland; On-site; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Finnish university is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Design for Climate-Adaptive Urbanism. This 2.3-year role involves leading cross-sectoral workshops, developing AI visualization tools, and contributing to sustainable urban design initiatives under a major EU project. A PhD in a relevant field is required, and candidates should have a strong background in computational design methodologies and international project experience.

Benefits

Monthly salary starting from approx. €4,070

Funded travel to project workshops

Access to state-of-the-art facilities

Supportive, diverse research culture

Qualifications

• Experience in grant writing and competitive funding landscapes.
• Track record of high-quality research publications.
• Experience working in international interdisciplinary projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead international cross-sectoral design workshops.
• Develop AI-enhanced visualization tools.
• Integrate environmental and social data into digital models.
• Publish in high-impact journals and present at conferences.

Skills

Computational design methodologies

Data-driven design

Immersive technologies

AI-driven visualization workflows

Geospatial tools

Education

PhD in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or related field

Tools

Grasshopper

Rhino

Python

Unity

Unreal Engine

QGIS

ArcGIS

Adobe Creative Suite

Blender

Job description

Organisation/Company AALTO UNIVERSITY Research Field Architecture Computer science Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Country Finland Application Deadline 15 Oct 2025 - 00:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Overview

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 120 nationalities, 14 000 students, 400 professors and close to 5000 faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.

Role

Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Design for Climate-Adaptive Urbanism

School of Arts, Design and Architecture – Department of Architecture

Location: Otaniemi Campus, Espoo, Finland

Join an international Horizon Europe project and support Aalto’s research growth through grant development in computational desing in the field of urbanism and landscape architecture.

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join our Computational Design team at the Department of Architecture at Aalto University. This 2.3-year position offers a rare opportunity to combine hands-on research in a major EU Horizon Europe project with strategic support for new research initiatives at Aalto. You will contribute to the Horizon Europe project UTOPIZE, which explores the co-creation of sustainable, inclusive, and aesthetically engaging public spaces under the New European Bauhaus framework. At the same time, you will play a key role in preparing competitive grant applications and expanding Aalto’s research portfolio in computational design for climate-adaptive urbanism. The position thus bridges cutting-edge EU research with future-oriented academic development, offering international visibility and active engagement with leading partners across Europe.

Responsibilities

Your role and goals

• Lead and facilitate international cross-sectoral design workshops in collaboration with project partners.
• Develop and deploy AI-enhanced visualization tools and digital dashboards to support participatory engagement.
• Integrate environmental, spatial, and social data into digital twin models for scenario testing and policy simulation.
• Adapt co-design methods to local contexts in demonstrator sites (Portugal, Sweden, Italy).
• Contribute to policy recommendations, design briefs, and dissemination materials.
• Participate in international travels and consortium meetings.
• Publish in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present at leading conferences, exhibitions, and stakeholder events.
• Assist in preparing grant applications for national and international funding opportunities (EU, ERC, NordForsk, Academy of Finland, etc.).
• Collaborate on computational design research projects, with focus areas such as data-driven design, immersive collaborative environments, and generative AI.
• Contribute creatively to expanding Aalto’s research initiatives in computational design for climate-adaptive urbanism.

Team and environment

You will work closely with Professor Dr. Pia Fricker, whose professorship in Computational Design advances generative and immersive design methods by integrating geospatial intelligence to address sustainability challenges in urban and landscape systems. Her research group has an established track record in international collaboration and EU-funded projects, and maintains close links with leading academic and professional partners worldwide. The position is based in the Department of Architecture at Aalto University, which offers a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment bridging architecture, landscape, and urbanism with emerging technologies and sustainability research.

Experience and ambitions

We are seeking a candidate with:

Educational background

• PhD in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Computational Design, Computer Science, Urbanism, or a closely related field.
• Specialization in computational design methodologies, data-driven design, and/or immersive technologies.
• Experience in grant writing and familiarity with competitive funding landscapes.
• Track record of high-quality research publications and contributions to international conferences.
• Experience working in international, interdisciplinary projects; EU-funded project experience is an advantage.

Technical skills

• Proficiency in computational design tools (e.g., Grasshopper, Rhino, Python).
• Familiarity with immersive environments (Unity, Unreal Engine).
• Experience with AI-driven visualization workflows (generative models, real-time dashboards).
• Data analysis and geospatial tools (QGIS, ArcGIS, remote sensing).
• Visualization and communication tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Blender).

Language & other skills

• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Finnish or Swedish not required but considered an advantage.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, proactive mindset, and ability to manage multiple tasks independently.

What we offer

• A full-time, fixed-term position for 2.3 years (starting December 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter).
• Monthly salary starting from approx. €4,070, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Opportunity to play a leading role in a Horizon Europe project (UTOPIZE) while also shaping future research initiatives.
• Funded travel to project workshops and partner meetings in Europe.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities, including UAVs, terrestrial laser scanning equipment, immersive VR/AR labs (MAGICS infrastructure), and computational design studios for immersive data simulation.
• Supportive, diverse, and inclusive research culture.

Our wide range of professional development opportunities means you will grow and learn, participating actively in diverse research trainings based on your interests and needs. Life on campus is vibrant, featuring stunning architecture, tranquil nature, and a variety of cafes, restaurants, and services.

How to Apply

Please submit your application through our recruitment site (“Apply now!”) no later than 23:59 (EET) on 15 October 2025. We aim for the selected candidate to start no later than December 2025. Your application should include:

• A motivation letter (max. 2 pages) explaining your interest in the position and how your background fits the role.
• Your CV, including contact information for two referees.
• Relevant degree certificates and academic transcripts.
• A portfolio or selection of publications that best demonstrate your research and computational design skills.

Please note: Aalto University’s employees should apply for the position via our internal HR system Workday (Internal Jobs) by using their existing Workday user account (not via the external webpage for open positions). If you are a student or visitor at Aalto University, please apply with your personal email address (not aalto.fi) via Aalto University open positions

We will review applications as they arrive and may invite suitable candidates for interviews during the application period. You will hear from us no later than the second week of November 2025. We aim for a transparent and equal recruitment process, so feel free to request feedback.

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